Pipe-joining machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a pipe-joining machine for installing successive pipe units. The pipe-joining machine includes a longitudinally extending base assembly having a front plate, a rear plate spaced from the front plate and connecting bars joining the front and rear plates. A hydraulic cylinder, having a drive rod, is mounted and extends horizontally rearwardly from the rear plate. Control mechanism including a multipassage hydraulic valve is in communication with the hydraulic cylinder. A gripper mechanism is provided on the free end of the drive rod and is effective for releasably grasping a cable. One end of the cable is fed through successive ones of the pipe sections being installed and rearward movement of the hydraulic cylinder drive rod applies a pulling force to the last pipe section in the chain to properly seat the last pipe section with respect to the adjoining pipe section.

United States Patent Brighton Feb. 8, 1972 [54] PIPE-JOINING MACHINEPrimary ExaminerAndrew R. Juhasz t E 72 Inventor: Jack Edward Brighton,Hudson, Mich. 3:332: [73] Assignee: B & B Pipul, Inc.

. 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: May 26, 1969 I 1 The present invention is apipe-joining machine for installing [2]] APPLNO': successive pipe units.The pipe-joining machine includes a longitudinally extending baseassembly having a front plate, a 52 U.S.Cl ..29/237, 29/238, 254/29Plate P fwm the Plate and bars 51 Int. Cl ..B23p 19/04 Wining fmm andYear P A hyd'au'ic cylinder having [58] Field of Search ..29/237 238 263282 272 a drive is mwmed and extends "mimmally from the rear plate.Control mechanism including a multipassage hydraulic valve is incommunication with the [56] Reerences Cited hydraulic cylinder. Agripper mechanism is provided on the free end of the drive rod and iseffective for releasably grasp- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing a cable. Oneend of the cable is fed through successive ones of the pipe sectionsbeing installed and rearward move- 3,233,315 2/ 1966 Leuake ..29/237 mamof the hydraulic cylinder drive rod applies a l i force 3,469,298 9/1969Pizzagalh ..29/238 X to the last i section in the chain to -w Seat the l3,471 10/1969 Evans "29/237 pipe section with respect to the adjoiningpipe section. 3,483,608 12/1969 Madden ..29/237 8 Claims, 8 DrawingFigures i 6 5 I 32 67 3 35 l 6 \4 4 4/ o= L 3 42 2 /6 K I -1T I L45 40A; I 7\.-. l

PATENTED FEB 8l972 3.639.967

sum 2 or;

70 ITS E1- Java fl a ATTYQ.

PIPE-JOINING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesgenerally to a pipe-joining machine for installing successive ones of anumber of pipe units. For a number of years, the pipe industry has beenmoving away from pipes which are joined together, for examples, byflange and bolt connections or by bell and spigot-type joints which aresealed by lead. Within the last years, the pipe industry, par ticularlyin cast iron soil pipe for sanitary sewer work; cast iron pipe for waterlines; and vitrified clay pipe for sewers, has adopted a pipe structurehaving a pressure fit type of joint gasket. The plain end of the pipeincludes an elastomeric element which is inserted into a bell end of anadjoining pipe. The bell end of the adjoining pipe has a cooperatingelastomeric element. However, a substantial amount of relative forcemust be exerted between the two adjoining pipe sections when they arejoined together. When working with relatively small diameters of pipe,for example, 6 or 8 inches, and when the trench conditions are good,joining the pipes has not been a problem. This can be d0r1e,'forexample, by using a bar as a lever to force the new pipe section intoseating relationship with the previously laid pipe section. Another typeof prior art device sometimes used is a chain and lever arrangement inwhich a chain is wrapped around the exterior of the pipe which hasalready been laid and then using a bar or tool which is pivotallyconnected to the chain as a lever to force the next successive pipe unitinto its seating position. However, if the trench conditions areunsatisfactory, for example, if the soil conditions are bad, these priorart methods are unsatisfactory. If the soil conditions are bad, soilparticles find their way into the pipe joint and make the joining of thepipe much more difficult and the joining force which must be exertedmuch greater.

As the size of the pipe increases, the weight of an individual pipesection increases to such a degree that it is practically impossible toinstall the individual pipe sections using the prior art manual methods.For example, a low-pressure cast iron water line having an insidediameter of 14 inches and a standard 18 foot length weighs in excess of1,300 pounds. The prior art has solved this problem by suspending thepipe section being installed from, for example, a crane boom and thenusing either manual or mechanical devices to force the pipe into seatingrelationship with the adjoining pipe. This solution has beeneconomically unsatisfactory because of the inefficient use of heavyequipment and labor.

During the installation of very large diameter concrete sewer pipe, forexample, 72 inch diameter pipe, the prior art sometimes uses a pluralityof jacks to move an individual pipe section into position. Sometimes thejacking operation relies upon the positioning of a man inside the pipelayers and in addition the individual pipe sections are relatively shortin length, for example, 3 foot sections. However, this type of prior artmethod is not, of course, suited for working with relatively smalldiameter pipe sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pipe-joiningmachine which is particularly adaptable for use in installing cast iron,concrete or vitrified pipe sections. Cast iron water mains often aresupplied in 18 foot lengths and the machine according to the instantinvention is particularly adaptable for use in installing pipes havingintemal diameters which would prevent a man from actually entering theinterior of the pipe.

The pipe-joining machine, according to the present invention, has alongitudinally extending base assembly including a front plate, a rearplate, and two horizontal spaced support rods extending between thefront plate and the rear plate. A hydraulic cylinder is mounted andextends rearwardly from the rear plate. The cylinder has a horizontaldrive rod which extends through an opening defined in the rear plate andcontrol means are operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder forselectively moving the horizontal drive rod. Grip means are mountedadjacent the free end of the horizontal drive rod for releasably holdinga cable. A cable is threaded through the successive pipe sections andrearward movement of the drive rod seats the last of the pipe sectionswith respect to the adjacent pipe section which has previously been laidin the trench.

An adjusting post is attached to the hydraulic cylinder and is suitablefor adjusting the vertical position of the cylinder. Similarly, avertical support frame is mounted adjacent the front plate and means areprovided for adjusting the relative vertical position of the supportframe with respect to the front plate.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a machine forjoining successive units of pipe. Other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of apipe-joining machine, constructed in accordance with the presentinvention, and showing a pipe section being seated in an adjoining pipesection;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the pipe-joining machine shown inFIG. 1 and showing by dashed lines an alternative position of thehorizontal guide arm;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, taken along the line33 of FIG. 1 and shown on a slightly enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, plan view, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2,and shown on a slightly enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view, shown partially insection, of the portion of the machine shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the portion of the machine shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 5 and shownon an enlarged scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. l-3, apipe-joining machine, constructed according to the present invention, isgenerally indicated by the reference number 15. The pipe-joining machine15 includes a longitudinally extending base assembly 16 having agenerally vertical front plate 17, and a generally vertical rear plate18 which is spaced from the front plate [7. In the present embodiment,the plates 17 and 18 are connected together by a pair of longitudinallyextending and spaced connecting rods 19 and a plurality of nuts 20. Aflat, horizontal bottom plate 21 is bolted to the bottom of plates 17and 18.

Drive means comprising a horizontally extending hydraulic cylinder 24 ismounted on the rear plate 18. The hydraulic cylinder has an axiallymovable drive member or rod 25 which extends through an opening 23 (seeFIG. 3) defined in the rear plate 18.

Control means are operatively connected to the hydraulic cylinder 24 forselectively moving the drive rod 25. In the present embodiment, thecontrol means includes a multipassage valve 26 having a manuallyoperated handle 27 for operating an internal valve spool to directhydraulic fluid through a predetermined path. A conventional hydraulicfluid supply system is positioned adjacent the pipe-joining machine 15for supplying hydraulic fluid through the multipassage valve 26 to thehydraulic cylinder 24. In the present embodiment, the hydraulic fluidsupply means includes a conventional storage reservoir and motor-drivenpump arrangement (not shown) which supplies hydraulic fluid underpressure to a fluid supply conduit 28. Hydraulic fluid is returned tothe reservoir (not shown) through a hydraulic fluid return conduit 29(see FIG. 1). It is noted that other types of conventional hydraulicfluid supply means can be used with the pipe-joining machine 15. Forexample, the fluid supply conduit 28 and the fluid return conduit 29 maybe connected to the hydraulic system of a conventional construction sitevehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the multipassagevalve 26 is a three-way valve. When the handle 27 is in the horizontaldashed line position shown in FIG. 2, the spool of the valve 26 directsthe flow of hydraulic fluid from the supply conduit 28 through a conduit30 and into the right side of the cylinder 24. This moves a piston 31 ofthe cylinder 24 to the left (as shown in FIG. 2) and constitutes thepulling or seating stroke of the machine. When the handle 27 is in thesolid line position shown in FIG. 2, the cylinder 24 is in its neutralposition and the drive rod 25 is in a static condition. In the neutralposition, the hydraulic fluid is bypassed directly from the supplyconduit 28 to the return conduit 29. When the handle 27 is in thevertical dashed line position shown in FIG. 2, hydraulic fluid from thesupply conduit 28 is directed to a conduit 32 and the piston 31 is movedto the right (as shown in FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 2, a post 35 having a pointed lower end 36 isadjustably attached to the rear end of the hydraulic cylinder 24. A handscrew 37 is operated to release the connection between the post 35 andthe cylinder 24. The post 35 performs a dual function, acting both as ahold down to reduce longitudinal movement of the machine 15 and also asan adjusting means to vertically position the hydraulic cylinder 24.

A cable support 40 including a reel 41 is positioned adjacent thehydraulic cylinder 24. The reel 41 is used for the storage of a lengthof flexible cable 42. Referring to FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, ahook 43 is mounted on the free end of the cable 42. Pressure pad meansare releasably at tached to the hook for applying a pulling force to apipe section which is being installed. In the present embodiment, thepressure pad means comprises a rectangular member 44 having a length inexcess of the exterior diameter of the bell ends of the pipes beinginstalled. An eyebolt 45 is connected to the rectangular member 44.During the pipe-pulling operation (to be described later), the hook 43is engaged with the eyebolt 45 to transfer the pulling force to therectangular member 44 and ultimately to the pipe section beinginstalled.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, grip means are generally indicated by thereference number 47. In the present embodiment, the grip means 47includes parallel, spaced side members 48 which are mounted on the freeend of the drive rod 25. A bottom member 49 having serrated teeth 50defined in its upper surface extends between the spaced side members 48.A lock arm 51 having a serrated-tooth portion 52 is pivotally connectedbetween the spaced side members 48. The serrated tooth portion 52 of thelock arm 51 and the serrated teeth 50 on the bottom member 49 cooperateto releasably grip and hold the cable 47 which extends through anopening 53 (see FIG. 4) which is defined by the spaced side members 48,the bottom member 49, and the lock arm 51.

In the present embodiment, a longitudinally extending and raisedguideway 55 (see FIG. 4) is mounted on the bottom plate 21 of the baseassembly 16. The guideway 55 extends between the rear plate 18 and thefront plate 17. A pair of depending guide members 56 are mounted on thegrip means 47 and extend downwardly on opposed sides of the guideway 55.The guide members 56 and the guideway 55 are effective to move the freeend of the drive rod 25 in a predetermined longitudinal path which isdefined by the guideway 55.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a sleeve 58 extends through and is connectedto the front plate 17. The sleeve 58 defines a passageway for the cable42. A pair of vertical cars 59 extend upwardly from the sleeve 58. Inthe present embodiment, an auxiliary chuck generally indicated by thereference 60 is mounted on the front plate 17 adjacent the passagewaydefined by the sleeve 58. The auxiliary chuck 60 includes a pair ofchuck jaws 61 and 62 (see FIG. 5). The chuck jaw 61 is fixably mountedto the front plate 17 while the chuck jaw 62 is pivotally mounted withrespect to the front plate 17. The chuck jaws 61 and 62 each have aplurality of cooperating serrated teeth 63. A handle 64 extends upwardlyfrom the chuck jaw 62 and is used to move the chuck jaw 62 into and outof a gripping relationship with the cable 42 and the cooperating chuckjaw 61.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, a vertical support frame, which ismounted adjacent the front plate 17, is generally indicated by thereference number 67. In the present embodiment, the vertical supportframe 67 includes a pair of spaced vertical channels 68 joined togetherby a top member 69 and a bottom member 70. The spaced channels 68 eachdefine a series of vertically aligned holes 71. Several of thesevertically aligned holes 71a, 7lb-71e, are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Thecars 59 which extend upwardly from the sleeve 58 define cooperatingholes 72. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the cooperating holes 72 are aligned withthe channel holes 510 and a bolt assembly 73 extends through therespective holes. The vertical support frame 67 supports the sleeve 58at a predetermined vertical elevation above the bottom of the trench. Toadjust the relative vertical position of the support frame 67 and thefront plate 17, the bolt assembly 73 is removed and the sleeve 58 ismoved upwardly or downwardly until the cooperating holes 72 of the ears59 are aligned with the proper pair of channel holes 71. An adjustmentof this type is made when the pipejoining machine 15 is moved from onejobsite to another jobsite and the pipe sections being installed are ofa different diameter than were the pipe sections at the old jobsite.

A horizontal guide arm 75 extends outwardly from the vertical supportframe 67. In the present embodiment, the horizontal guide ann includes apair of depending plates 76 having V- notch opening 77 at their loweredges. The horizontal guide arm 75 is mounted for vertical adjustingmovement with respect to the vertical support frame 67 by a mountingassembly 78. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mounting assembly 78includes a horizontal plate 79 which engages ends 80 of the channels 68.A guide plate 81 extends inwardly from the horizontal plate 79. A boltassembly 82 is attached to the plates 79 and 81. A portion of the boltassembly 82 extends across and through a second horizontal plate 83 anda second guide plate 84 (see FIG. 5). The bolt assembly 82 includes anut 85. The vertical position of the horizontal guide 75 with respect tothe support frame 67 is adjusted by loosening the nut 85; moving thehorizontal guide arm 75 to its correct vertical position; andretightening the nut 85.

Referring to FIG. 6, a guide finger 87 is mounted on the lower end ofthe vertical support frame 67 and extends outwardly therefrom. Duringoperation of the pipe joining machine 15, an outer end 88 of the guidefinger 87 rides in the invert of the first pipe section being installed.

A chain 89 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) has a first end 90 attached to one sideof the horizontal guide arm 75. The chain 89 extends around the outsidediameter of the first pipe section being installed and the other end 91of the chain 89 is attached to a threaded takeup post 92. Referring toFIG. 6, a takeup screw 93 having a handle 94 is rotated to place thechain 89 in its correct position on the circumference of the pipesection.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, two successive pipe sections 96a and 96bare shown. Each of the pipe sections 96 includes a plain end 97 and abell or enlarged end 98. Referring to FIG. 3, an elastomeric sealinggasket 99 is shown extending between the exterior diameter of the plainend 97 and the interior diameter of the bell end 98. The gasket 99provides a tight joint after the plain end 97 has been seated in thebell end 98. Often, the sealing gasket 99 is constructed of twocooperating circular parts. The first cooperating part is attached tothe interior diameter of the bell 98 and the second cooperating gasketpart is attached to the exterior diameter of the plain end 97. Aconsiderable amount of force is required to seat the plain end 97 withinthe enlarged end 98 of the adjoining pipe section 96. When using apipe-joining machine 15, according to the present invention, a portionof the trench is excavated to its proper depth. Normally, the pipejoining machine 15 is actually placed on the floor of the trench.However, if the soil conditions are adverse, the machine 15 may beplaced at normal grade elevation (not shown) and the cable 42 positionedaround a pulley system (not shown) until it is horizontally aligned atthe level of the trench bottom.

Under normal conditions, after the pipe-joining machine is positioned inthe trench, the handscrew 37 at the rear of the hydraulic cylinder 24 isreleased and the pointed end 36 of the post 35 is pushed downwardly intothe ground. The hydraulic cylinder 24 is adjusted until it is at itscorrect vertical alignment and then the handscrew 37 is retightened. Ina similar manner, the bolt assembly 73 (see FIG. 7) is released and thesleeve 58 whichis connected to the front plate 17 is moved to itscorrect vertical position. This occurs when the centerline of the sleeve58 is aligned with the centerline of the pipe sections 96 beinginstalled. The bolt assembly 73 is then reinserted in the proper pair ofaligned holes 71 in the channels 68 and through the cooperating holes 72in the upwardly extending ears 59.

The nut 85 of the bolt assembly 82 is released and the horizontal guidearm 75 is adjusted with respect to the vertical support frame 67. Whenproperly adjusted, the V-notch openings 77 defined by the dependingplates 66 snugly receive the upper outside diameter of the first pipesection 96a. Retightening of the nut 85 holds the horizontal guide arm75 in its proper vertical elevation. The chain 89 is positioned aroundthe outer circumference of the pipe section 96a and the handle 94 isrotated to tighten the chain 89 which extends around the circumferenceof the pipe section 96a.

At this time, the outer end of the cable 42 is fed through the firstpipe section 96a and through the next successive pipe section 96b. Therectangular member 44 is connected to the hook 43 through the eyebolt45. The cable 42 is moved rearwardly until the outer ends of therectangular member 44 are positioned against the bell end 98 of the pipesection 96b (see FIG. 1).

The plain end 97 of the pipe section 96b is aligned with the enlarged orbell end 98 of the adjoining pipe section 96a. The flexible cable 42 ismanually pulled rearwardly and the lock arm 51 is rotated moving theserrated teeth 50 and S2 of the grip means 47 into a grasping orgripping relationship with the cable 42. The handle 27 of themultipassage valve 26 is the to he horizontal dashed line position shownin FIG. 2, thereby moving the piston 31 and the drive rod rearwardly asdescribed above. This rearward movement of the drive rod 25 is continueduntil the plain end 97 of the pipe section 96b is correctly seated inthe bell end 98 of the pipe section 960. At that time, the handle 27 ismoved to either its neutral position or to its forward position. It hasbeen found that if a relatively few pipe sections 96 have beenpositioned in the trench, the handle 27 may be moved to its forwardposition thus releasing the tension on the cable 42. At that time, thegrip means 47 is released, a new pipe section 96 is lowered into thetrench and the above operation is repeated. However, if many pipesections 96 have been laid in the trench, the handle 27 is moved to itsneutral position and the auxiliary chuck 60 is activated to temporarilyhold the cable 42 under tension. The auxiliary chuck 60 is operated bygrasping the handle 64 (see FIG. 8) and pivoting the chuck jaw 62 into agripping relationship with the cable 42 and the chuck jaw 61. At thistime, the handle 27 of the multipassage valve 26 is moved to its forward(vertical dashed) position, moving the drive rod 25 to the right asshown in FIG. 2. It has been found that when an extensive length of thecable 42 is positioned within the installed pipe sections 96, the cable42 stretches to such a degree that the use of the auxiliary chuck 60 isuseful in maintaining the cable 42 within the installed pipe sectionsunder tension. If the auxiliary chuck 60 is not used in this situation,it reduces the effective pulling stroke of the hydraulic cylinder 24.

What I claim is:

1. A pipe-joining machine comprising, in combination, a longitudinallyextending base assembly, said base assembly including a front plate, arear plate, and two horizontal, spaced, support rods extending betweensaid front plate and said rear plate, a hydraulic cylinder horizontallymounted on said rear plate, said cylinder having a horizontal drive rodextending through an opening defined in said rear plate toward saidfront plate, control means operatively connected to said cylinder forselectively moving said horizontal drive rod, a flexible cable forapplying a pulling force to a pipe to be installed, means operativelyconnected to said flexible cable for releasably engaging one end of apipe to be laid, grip means mounted adjacent the free end of saidhorizontal drive rod for releasably holding said cable, means attachedto said hydraulic cylinder for adjusting the vertical position of saidcylinder, a vertical support frame mounted adjacent said front plate,and means for adjusting the relative vertical position of said verticalsupport frame with respect to said front plate.

2. A pipe-joining machine comprising, in combination, a longitudinallyextending base assembly, said base assembly including a front plate, arear plate spaced from said front plate, and means for connecting saidfront plate to said rear plate, drive means adjacent said rear plate andhaving an axially movable drive member, control means operativelyconnected to said drive means for selectively moving said drive member,said control means including a multipassage valve in fluid communicationwith said hydraulic fluid means, and a handle means for selectivelyoperating said valve, grip means mounted on said drive member, said gripmeans including a pair of parallel, spaced side members, a bottom memberattached to said side members, said bottom member having serrated teethdefined in the portion of its upper surface which extends between saidspaced side members, and a lock arm pivotally mounted between saidspaced side members, said lock arm having a serrated tooth portionsuitable for cooperation with said serrated teeth on said bottom member,whereby cooperating teeth on said tooth portion and said bottom memberare effective to releasably grip and hold a cable which extends throughan opening defined by said spaced side members, said bottom member andsaid lock arm, and cable means for applying a pulling force to a pipe tobe installed, said grip means being releasably attached to said cablemeans.

3. A pipe-joining machine comprising, in combination, a longitudinallyextending base assembly, said base assembly including a front plate, arear plate spaced from said front plate, and means for connecting saidfront plate to said rear plate, drive means adjacent said rear plate andhaving an axially movable drive member, control means operativelyconnected to said drive means for selectively moving said drive member,said control means including a multipassage valve in fluid communicationwith said hydraulic fluid means, and a handle means for selectivelyoperating said valve, a vertical support frame mounted adjacent saidfront plate and means for adj usting the relative vertical positions ofsaid vertical support frame and said front plate, grip means mounted onsaid drive member, and cable means for applying a pulling force to apipe to be installed, said grip means being releasably attached to saidcable means.

4. A pipe-joining machine, according to claim 3, wherein said cablemeans includes a flexible cable, a reel suitable for storing said cable,and means releasably attached to the free end of said cable for applyinga pulling force to a pipe section being installed.

5. A pipe-joining machine, according to claim 3, wherein said connectingmeans includes at least two support members extending between said frontplate and said rear plate, and a horizontal bottom plate extendingbetween said front plate and said rear plate.

6. A pipe-joining machine, according to claim 5, including a guideway onsaid bottom plate and guide means mounted for movement along saidguideway and effective to move said drive member in a predetermined pathdefined by said guideway.

7. A pipe-joining machine according to claim 2, wherein said grip meansalso includes an auxiliary chuck mounted on said front plate forreleasably securing a cable, said chuck including a pair of chuck jawshaving cooperating serrated teeth, one of said chuck jaws beingpivotally mounted for movement into and out of gripping relationshipwith the other of said chuck jaws.

8. A pipe-joining machine according to claim 3, including a horizontalguide arm adjustably mounted on said vertical support frame, said guidearm extending outwardly from said vertical support frame, and a lowerhorizontal guide finger mounted on and extending outwardly from thelower end of said vertical support frame, whereby said guide arm andguide finger receive a first of a series of pipes to be installed toensure correct alignment of the pipe.

1. A pipe-joining machine comprising, in combination, a longitudinallyextending base assembly, said base assembly including a front plate, arear plate, and two horizontal, spaced, support rods extending betweensaid front plate and said rear plate, a hydraulic cylinder horizontallymounted on said rear plate, said cylinder having a horizontal drive rodextending through an opening defined in said rear plate toward saidfront plate, control means operatively connected to said cylinder forselectively moving said horizontal drive rod, a flexible cable forapplying a pulling force to a pipe to be installed, means operativelyconnected to said flexible cable for releasably engaging one end of apipe to be laid, grip means mounted adjacent the free end of saidhorizontal drive rod for releasably holding said cable, means attachedto said hydraulic cylinder for adjusting the vertical position of saidcylinder, a vertical support frame mounted adjacent said front plate,and means for adjusting the relative vertical position of said verticalsupport frame with respect to said front plate.
 2. A pipe-joiningmachine comprising, in combination, a longitudinally extending baseassembly, said base assembly including a front plate, a rear platespaced from said front plate, and means for connecting said front plateto said rear plate, drive means adjacent said rear plate and having anaxially movable drive member, control means operatively connected tosaid drive means for selectively moving said drive member, said controlmeans including a multipassage valve in fluid communication with saidhydraulic fluid means, and a handle means for selectively operating saidvalve, grip means mounted on said drive member, said grip meansincluding a pair of parallel, spaced side members, a bottom memberattached to said side members, said bottom member having serrated teethdefined in the portion of its upper surface which extends between saidspaced side members, and a lock arm pivotally mounted between saidspaced side members, said lock arm having a serrated tooth portionsuitable for cooperation with said serrated teeth on said bottom member,whereby cooperating teeth on said tooth portion and said bottom memberare effective to releasably grip and hold a cable which extends throughan opening defined by said spaced side members, said bottom member andsaid lock arm, and cable means for applying a pulling force to a pipe tobe installed, said grip means being releasably attached to said cablemeans.
 3. A pipe-joining machine comprising, in combination, alongitudinally extending base assembly, said base assembly including afront plate, a rear plate spaced from said front plate, and means forconnecting said front plate to said rear plate, drive means adjacentsaid rear plate and having an axially movable drive member, controlmeans operatively connected to said drive means for selectively movingsaid drive member, said control means including a multipassage valve influid communication with said hydraulic fluid means, and a handle meansfor selectively operating said valve, a vertical support frame mountedadjacent said front plate and means for adjusting the relative verticalpositions of said vertical support frame and said front plate, gripmeans mounted on said drive member, and cable means for applying apulling force to a pipe to be installed, said grip means beingreleasably attached to said cable means.
 4. A pipe-joining machine,according to claim 3, wherein said cable means includes a flexiblecable, a reel suitable for storing said cable, and means releasablyattached to the free end of said cable for applying a pulling force to apipe section being installed.
 5. A pipe-joining machine, according toclaim 3, wherein said connecting means includes at least two supportmembers extending between said front plate and said rear plate, and ahorizontal bottom plate extending between said front plate and said rearplate.
 6. A pipe-joining machine, according to claim 5, including aguideway on said bottom plate and guide means mounted for movement alongsaid guideway and effective to move said drive member in a predeterminedpath defined by said guideway.
 7. A pipe-joining machine according toclaim 2, wherein said grip means also includes an auxiliary chuckmounted on said front plate for releasably securing a cable, said chuckincluding a pair of chuck jaws having cooperating serrated teeth, one ofsaid chuck jaws being pivotally mounted for movement into and out ofgripping relationship with the other of said chuck jaws.
 8. Apipe-joining machine according to claim 3, including a horizontal guidearm adjustably mounted on said vertical support frame, said guide armextending outwardly from said vertical support frame, and a lowerhorizontal guide finger mounted on and extending outwardly from thelower end of said vertical support frame, whereby said guide arm andguide finger receive a first of a series of pipes to be installed toensure correct alignment of the pipe.